While it can be fun to play other positions in Madden NFL 23, it's hard to argue that a great quarterback doesn't directly contribute to wins. When building a team, starting with anything other than an elite quarterback is likely going to be a mistake.
Of course, if the goal is fun, go ahead and pick a favorite team or position. No true gamer can argue against games being a good time. But if the stakes are high and pride is on the line, Madden NFL 23 strongly incentivizes using one of these players. They'll be able to cover for user mistakes and team flaws.
Updated on February 20th, 2023 by Hodey Johns: The regular season, playoffs, and Super Bowl have concluded. With that all in the books, gamers will be bracing for a long offseason. Ratings adjusters have been working overtime, week-to-week, shifting players based on their performance in the previous weeks. Now, with the last performance in the books, players can pick up and drop players knowing what their stats will be. The ratings adjusters do, sometimes, inexplicably make small changes to player statistics during the offseason. However, this list will likely remain intact and the player statistics won't change substantially enough to merit a significant alteration.
Kirk Cousins - 84 OVR
For some football pundits, Kirk Cousins has been a divisive quarterback. He's often been tagged as having a floor that guarantees goodness but a ceiling that prevents him from achieving greatness. Regardless of how people feel about Cousins, It's undeniable that he's way too underestimated.
Cousins, as with many years, did not start off on this list. As with other years, he ended up on this list. Part of his year included staging the greatest comeback in NFL history, setting a record by coming back from 33–0 in the 3rd quarter to win. Cousins is a live wire, despite his lack of deep playoff runs.
Aaron Rodgers - 86 OVR
When comparing Madden NFL 22 to Madden NFL 23, it should be pretty clear that Aaron Rodgers deserves respect. He won the last two MVP awards and was second on this list at the beginning of the year. But a hurt thumb and the loss of Davante Adams this offseason have sent one of the game's best-ever quarterbacks spiraling downward.
Rodgers and the Packers had to win one game against the Lions to get into the playoffs. With the Lions eliminated, it should have been a sure thing. Unfortunately, the tough luck that briefly let up at midseason came back again and they dropped the game. Talk has once again resumed if Rodgers will be unloaded in the offseason. It's hard to imagine this happening after two straight years of MVP play, but the NFL can be brutal like that.
Jalen Hurts - 87 OVR
Had his Eagles won the Super Bowl, Jalen Hurts and his four combined touchdowns would have been the Super Bowl MVP; outside of one bad fumble, he was clearly the best player on the field for either team. Finishing second in MVP voting, Hurts has tremendous upside.
At the start of the year, Hurts wasn't even on this list. Even at midseason, Hurts was not on this list. It's a bit of an insult that he remains behind some of the others, but it goes to show that the ratings adjusters don't like to make big changes to reflect a single game or even a single season. If Hurts can keep his play up next year, Hurts will hopefully be where he deserves on this list.
Dak Prescott - 87 OVR
Experts are always astounded by how smart Dak Prescott is with the ball. For the number of touchdowns he throws, his interceptions are so low. With a little consistency and a quiet season from the usually lively rumor mill this year, Prescott and the Cowboys were hoping this year would continue that trend.
However, things went south for Prescott's personal stock. Prescott was injured and his backup, Cooper Rush, went on a winning streak without him. Prescott came back and just wasn't the same guy with the ball. Prescott had a running game and a great offensive line, but the lack of extreme talent at wide receiver, some suspect, might have suppressed his usually amazing statistics.
Justin Herbert - 88 OVR
The defense for the L.A. Chargers is as flashy as the game's cover art. It's clear that somebody in upper management believed that improving on defense is all the Chargers needed to do. Despite all of the injuries to so many starters, Justin Herbert got his team to the playoffs.
Unfortunately, the season will be marred by a historic meltdown as the Chargers blew a 27-point lead despite getting five turnovers. Herbert might have had his magic run out in this game, but players and fans did not forget that it took an unbelievable effort from him to even get into the playoffs.
Tom Brady - 90 OVR
Although Aaron Rodgers got 39 votes for MVP to Tom Brady's 10, the ratings adjusters weren't convinced that Brady wasn't the better quarterback in the 2021-2022 season. Brady started this, his final year at the top of this list, but things didn't go the way experts had hoped.
Despite leading the league in touchdowns (43) and passing yards (5,316) last year, Brady has fallen into a slump, often getting carried to slight wins thanks to his defense. Injuries, trades, and retirements have not bolstered his surrounding cast. The team made the playoffs despite a losing record and was promptly bounced out at home. Tom Brady's rating is far too high to reflect his performance, but it's likely a sign of respect given to a player who the NFL will never forget.
Lamar Jackson - 91 OVR
If it weren't for injuries, there is a case to be made that the Baltimore Ravens would be in the thick of a dynasty right now. Unfortunately, this team has had to deal with brutal injuries to key players, most of the time before the regular season even begins.
Lamar Jackson is no exception, missing chunks of games for the last two years. Jackson was not given a new contract, making his fans question if he'll stay and hope for better luck or seek his fortunes elsewhere. When Jackson is on, he puts the team on his back and wills victory out of what appears to be a certain defeat.
Josh Allen - 93 OVR
About halfway through the season, while the Bills had some tough breaks, many had taken to calling Josh Allen "QB1" and crowning him the best in the league. On his best days and moment, it's understandable why some analysts would put him at the top of this list.
His decision-making can certainly be classified as high-risk, high-reward and, this year a few of those high-risk gambles didn't pay off. After being dismantled by the Bengals on both sides of the ball, the Bills are now wondering what they have to do to get over the hump. It's hard to ask for more of Allen, but they may need to in the following years.
Joe Burrow - 95 OVR
As Madden NFL 23 is seeking ways to improve its franchise mode, the Cincinnati Bengals made a similar journey. Despite some big splashes during the offseason for the offensive line, the Bengals came out of the gates looking pitiful. Burrow, at midseason, was down to 90 OVR.
But after the offensive line got situated, Burrow reminded the world of who he is. He almost made it back to the Super Bowl and his Bengals were, frankly, robbed of a chance to get the AFC Championship game in Cincinnati. If the Chiefs need to build for the long haul against any team, it's the Bengals.
Patrick Mahomes - 98 OVR
When trying to predict how players would be rated, it's tough to say where Patrick Mahomes was going to land. Aaron Rodgers had two consecutive MVP wins. Tom Brady was a close second. Yet everybody had a feeling that Patrick Mahomes was the most talented.
This season has proved that Mahomes is here to stay while Rodgers and Brady have taken steps back in their production. Mahomes, even when unhealthy, won a Super Bowl when things looked bleak. Many believe Mahomes will be considered the greatest of all time before he retires. So far, he's on pace to be about that.
Madden NFL 23 is available now for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.